Coronavrus Advice

This web page is designed to give you the school's latest advice and guidance on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and what to do if you think that either you or someone you know may have come into contact with the virus.

We will update this page regularly with more information as it becomes available.

Further to a number of queries that have been received from staff and families, we would like to reassure you that we have not had any concerns in relation to Coronavirus at the school. We remain open as usual and we recommend that students, staff and visitors attend their scheduled activities as normal.

The school has taken specific guidance for places of education from the Department for Education and Department for Health and Social Care as well as following the advice set out by Public Health England. We will be continuously monitoring and reviewing the situation on a regular basis.

The UK Government judges that the current national risk to individuals is moderate; however we would like to take the situation as an opportunity to remind students of the day to day things we can do to reduce the risk of spreading germs and viruses, including washing hands regularly.

Preventative measures include:

Washing hands regularly

Using hand sanitiser

Catch it, bin it, kill it

Try not to touch eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

Do not share items that come into contact with the mouth such as cups & bottles

If you present any of the symptoms associated with Coronavirus (cough, fever or shortness of breath) and think you may have been exposed to the virus, you should self-isolate, stay indoors, avoid contact with other people and call NHS 111 for further guidance. Check the PHE website for the latest official advice. You should notify the Academy of your absence, details of who to contact are listed below.

If you need to notify the school of your absence, or need further advice and guidance, you should contact us on 01282 682316.

Here are some useful FAQs below to help answer any questions you may have.

What are the symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?

The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection:

cough

difficulty in breathing

fever

Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. There is no evidence that children are more affected than other age groups – very few cases have been reported in children.

What precautionary measures can help stop the spread of the virus?

Public Health England recommends using good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene. Coughing and sneezing should be into tissues that are promptly disposed of in bins. Hands should be washed with soap and water or using an alcohol hand rub even if hands are visibly clean.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

washing your hands often – with soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport

covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin. See Catch it, Bin it, Kill it

people who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend work or any education or childcare setting

pupils, students, staff and visitors should wash their hands:

before leaving home

on arrival at school

after using the toilet

after breaks and sporting activities

before food preparation

before eating any food, including snacks

before leaving school

use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available

avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

avoid close contact with people who are unwell

clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

If you are worried about your symptoms or those of a child or colleague, please call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment see further information on the Public Health England Blog and the NHS UK website.

What to do if you become unwell and believe you have been exposed to COVID-19

If you think you have come into contact with COVID-19 either through travel to a specified country or area, or contact with a confirmed case, you should self-isolate, call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency (if you are seriously ill or injured or your life is at risk), and if appropriate, explain which country you have returned from in the last 14 days. People who become unwell should be advised not to go to their GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.

If you become unwell;

Whilst in school:

Notify a member of staff and the SLT who will trigger a process of isolation whilst advice is sought from NHS 111.

Whilst out and about:

Do not go to a GP surgery or hospital.

If you become unwell in a public place:

Try to find a room to isolate yourself away from others. Ask for help if you need to, but try to stay at least 2 metres away from other people.

Open a window for ventilation if you can, but otherwise touch objects and surfaces as little as possible.

Call the free NHS 111 helpline for advice.

If you become unwell on public transport:

Go back to your home or place of residence immediately.

Try to avoid close contact with other people and touch objects and surfaces as little as possible.

Call the free NHS 111 helpline for advice.

You will need to let the school know of your absence on the number provided above.